New Beginning's
History
(A View of Lexington, KY)
In January of 1992, during the Holy Ghost Conference held in Tampa, Florida, Elder John A. Harris received an "unction" namely; LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY.
Little did he know why the city of Lexington came to mind--after all, he was not familiar with the place. Months passed, and he had not acted on the unction, but while attending the Pastors and Elders Conference in April 1992, he received confirmation from The Lord that he was to go to Lexington. With no contacts there, he was naturally somewhat hesitant, but concluded that because the Lord was directing him, the Lord would undoubtedly work things out.
In September 1992, he made the trip to Lexington. Once in Lexington, however, he hadn't a clue where to go; he was lost! He stopped at a nearby Denny's Restaurant. It was there that he encountered a familiar face: that of Kenneth Johnson, a former resident of Morganfield, Kentucky (his hometown) and former member of McGee Temple C.O.G.I.C; the church where Elder Harris served as assistant pastor. Running into Bro. Kenny was no chance encounter; the Lord had indeed "made a way." He shared with Bro. Kenny his intentions to establish a Church of God In Christ in the city of Lexington. Bro. Kenny was instrumental in compiling a list of names with phone numbers of people he knew in the city that might be interested in attending services. Those individuals were contacted, and in October 1992, Elder Harris revisited Lexington a second time to meet with them.
(Eld. Harris and saints in front of 892Georgetown Rd.)
During their first meeting at the Western Steer Restaurant, the Lord gave Elder Harris a name for the church: "New Beginning" Church of God In Christ. For a period of about two months after their first meeting, they continued to meet and hold unofficial church services at the home of Bro. Kenneth Johnson.
In January of 1994, the church moved into temporary rental property located at 892 Georgetown Road and remained there until July 1995, when the building's owner decided to sell it. The church was forced to pursue alternative worship arrangements. With no other place to go, members began regularly meeting in the living room at the home of Bro. Patrick and Sis. Antoinette Johnson. The saints continued to worship at that location until they had dealt with yet another blow: a complaint received by the City Building Commission resulted in a ban prohibiting worship in an area "not zoned for a church." Once again, the church--keeping within the realms of the law--vacated the premises and began alternating services from the home of one saint to the other. Despite the hardships, God had been too good to them for them to give up now. He continually was blessing them--healing, filling, and manifesting his presence. They were not easily discouraged. Eld. Harris had already given them advance warning that "when the Lord starts to move, the devil ,too, gets busy trying to tear down and break up what God has built. The saints continued to trust and believe God would work things out.
Services were eventually moved to the residence of Bro. Neal and Sis. Kelly Harris, an apartment located at 314 Lindenhurst. Services continued there until October 1997, when the Harrises were blessed to take possession of a beautiful new home--one which sported an attached two-car garage. Because the church lacked a permanent place of worship, the Harrises dedicated sole use of the garage as a sanctuary for the church, and in doing so, subjected their vehicles (one of which was brand new) exposure to the elements. A pulpit, the width of the garage was installed, carpeting was lain, and meager furnishings were added.
It was March 26, 1999, that the Church, against all odds, was blessed to purchase a plot of land (a corner lot) located at 845 Bryan Avenue. The owner of the property had been confronted with two purchase offers: "New Beginning's offer which fell substantially short of the asking price, and the offer of another entity (the latter having the ability to pay the full asking price). Amazingly, in a time when money appears to be the driving influence of all financial decisions, it surely must have been God that moved upon the heart of the seller. He accepted the lesser offer! Hence, the church was able to take possession of the property.
(New Beginning's saints, Architect; Charbell Joseph, and the Late Bishop A. T Moore)
One Sunday afternoon following service in the garage, Elder Harris, along with the saints loaded into their vehicles and headed for the property located at 845 Bryan Avenue. With Pastor Harris leading the way, they marched around the land seven times--emulating the triumph at the battle of Jericho--while singing praises to God.
Prior to the start of the building's erection, the State Presiding Bishop A.T. Moore; Elder Albert Lewis; the city vice-mayor, Isabelle Yates; and the building's contractor, Sharbell Joseph, joined with Elder Harris and the saints in a ground-breaking ceremony held on May 12, 1999. In the weeks to follow, erection of the building was to begin. The foundation was lain, and in October 1999, the saints were able to move into their permanent place of worship. An official "Grand Opening and Dedication" service was held on October 16, 1999 which included saints from all throughout the state of Kentucky. The edifice known as New Beginning C.O.G.I.C., located at 845 Bryan Avenue is tangible evidence of God "taking little and making much!" Starting with only twelve....saved and sanctified, low to moderate income adults (only half of these employed full-time), God made a reality what had been called a "pipe dream" by some, and impossible by others!
To God be the glory, the power and the honor. Amen.
